Gustav august grassow



(No Model.)

G. A. GRASSOW. GAME BOARD.

No. 566,309. Patented Aug. 25, 1896.

will eJJJ': jn veniar; 44 flGraJJw l NITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

GUSTAV AUGUST GRASSOW, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

GAME-BOARD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 566,309, dated August 25, 1896.

Application-filed January 27, 1896. Serial No. 577,004. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUsrAv AUGUST GRAS- SOW, a citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Games; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which forms a part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in playing games.

The object of my invention is to provide a game to be played by two or four persons, partners, sitting opposite to each other and holding disks of the same color, for amusement, and is adapted for old as well as young people.

A further object is to provide a game-board that is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, and durable in use.

In the accompanying drawing, A desighates my game-board, which I preferably construct of light wood, although any other suitable material may be used. The board is provided with a raised border or rim 13 around the edges sufficiently high to prevent the disks used in playing from leaving the board.

0 designates the upper surface of the board, being the portion termed the ditch in playing, surrounding the raised central part D, upon which the game is played. The central part D is of circular form, but has four right-angled corner-pieces protruding from the periphery, each pointing toward a corner of the border. The corners are of the same height as the circular part, the whole being approximately half as high as the rim. A line K is painted across the circular part between each two corners, connecting them at their sides where they join the circle, the lines and corners thus presenting at the surface a square whose sides are parallel to the sides of the board. The parts of the circle outside of the line K are used as startingpoints for the players. In each corner of the square is a recess or pocket E of suitable depth to receive a disk when shot into it.

At the center of the board is a pocket I, and around it are four pockets H, all the pockets being alike, the latter four being situated so that one is between the center and each of the four starting-points A concentric line G is painted around the center, passing through the center of each pocket H, forming a square whose sides are parallel to the edges of the board. At each corner of this square is driven a tack having a rubber head. Suitable disks J are provided, half of them being of a different color than the others, to designate the two sets of players.

It is preferred to make the game-board of two kinds of lumber, the border and bottom of one kind and the center-piece of another, both stained for natural colors. It is also preferred to paint the disk-recesses of adark color.

In describing the game it is preferred to call the bottom of the board between the center-piece and borders the ditch. The illustration shows the disks in diiferent positions when shot, also the position of the hand in delivering the shot by holding the first finger between the thumb and second finger and sending the disk with the first finger. The object is, when there is an opponents disk 011 the board, to shoot for it and force him out of the recesses and squares into the ditch. It is to be understood that the recesses in the board are very shallow, not deep enough to prevent the disk from being lifted out when shot.

The rules of the game are as follows: The game may be one or two hundred, as you may determine. Each player must hold the same number of disks. Any one may begin the game by placing one of his disks on the board in front of him on the edge of circle of first party now having played, the one at his left plays next, placing his disk in like manner, his object being to force his opponents disk out of recesses and squares into the ditch. Often more disks are sent in the ditch with the one shot by caroming from one to the others. A player may place his disk against any disk Within his bounds, and thus send the two in any direction, except his opponents disk in recess on outer edge of large square next to him. If there is an opponents disk on the board, you are obliged to shoot for it, trying to force it out of recesses or squares of board into the ditch. A disk shot off the board on the floor is dead and cannot be shot until the next round, but should be placed in ditch out of hands. When the opponent has two disks in such position by hitting one it glances to the other and sends both in the ditch, and you can save your own by stopping it in center recess of small square. A count of fifty is recorded as soon as made. At the end of each round a count is taken of all disks on square of board. The side having one hundred or over one-hundred when the last round is played wins the game. A disk shot into a recess must lie flat in order to score the proper count.

The counting is as follows: The skilful carom-shot scores fifty when made. A disk lodging in center recess of small square counts twenty. Each outer recess of center recess onsmall square counts ten. Each recess on outer edge of large square counts five. Disks lying inside of small square in center of board count three. Disks lying on large square of board count two. Disks leaning and lying partly in recess and on squares count three or two. All others count nothing.

Having thus described my game, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The herein-described game-board having the raised border B, the raised central portion D of circular form having the rectangular protruding corner-pieces joined to the periphery of said circular form, the lines K joining said corner-pieces and forming a square, the pockets E at the said cornerpieces, the lines G forming a small square central on the board, the tacks F having rubber heads situated at the corners of said small square, the pockets H situated on the lines of said small square central between the tacks, the pocket I at the center of said small square, and the ditch G adjoining said border and surrounding said central part D, all combined and arranged substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GUSTAV AUGUST GRASSOW.

Witnesses:

JNo. S. THURMAN, E. T. SILvIUs. 

